We're doing it wrong.

Wow. We met with the animal trainer/behaviorist last night. Yes, I said behaviorist. She is local, and affordable, and we learned more from her in 2 1/2 hours than we have in the 6+ years we have owned greyhounds.

So, we started on a walk. Shell taught me how to use a kennel lead, rather than a traditional collar and lead. A kennel lead or slip lead is basically a leash without a clasp, but a D ring on the end, instead. I was very concerned at first of hurting Travel and Echo, but her methodology worked. When a small amount of pressure is applied to the lead, it hits pressure points right under her jaw. That makes them stop pulling immediately. It worked! Travel always walked very well, but Echo is all over the place, and I am constantly pulling on her to get her to move in the direction I want her to go. However, wearing the kennel lead, with a little bit of work, we had her walking by my side, without any pulling! I am soooo impressed. Off to purchase those leads today.

She said both pups are good dogs, but their insecurities are driving their behvavior. Travel is a good girl, but spooky. We all knew that. However, we have to show her WE are in charge, and she needs to be a social member of the household. Shell said get a 10ft leash, clip it to Travel, and make her stay in the room with you. No need to make her stand right next to you so you can pet her, this is to teach her its ok to stay in the same room with us, until Larry or I decide its time for her to go into another room. Interesting. When Shell clipped on the leash, Travel was super stressed, and kept staring at the bedroom. Within 15 minutes, she settled down, with just a little shaking. We continued to ignore her stressed behavior, until she stopped shaking, and then we pet her. The goal is to teach her that the stressed behavior will not earn her praise, and if we coddle her while she is nervous, we are reinforcing that she will get pet when stressed. Within a hour of being on the lead, she had completely settled down. Her ears were up, eyes bright, and no stressful signs. She looked happy to be with us.

Echo, on the other hand is very energetic, and getting harder to control. We explained the biting behavior, an Shell said its fear-based. A lot of the problem is us. When she gets stressed, and looks like she will start to bear teeth, we need to intervene, and tell her no. This will help reinforce this behavior is not acceptable. Basically, Larry and I need to be consistent, and forceful with her. We need to show her through our body language and voice tone, WE are in charge, not her. At the end of the night, we practiced Echo greeting strangers at the door. Doorbell rings, she goes nuts - barking, jumping, running to the door. Within 10 minutes, we had her laying down on the floor, waiting for us to allow the person at the door to enter, and not get up until we allow her. It was amazing!!!!

I am VERY impressed with her. They have us the advice to supplement their diet with chicken legs and wings (raw) to get them more calcium and protein, and this will help the ongoing healing of their old hock injuries. Off to get those today. We could use turkey necks, but chicken legs are easier.

I am super excited, but nervous. Its going to take Larry and I more work to change our mindset, than changing the dogs' behavior. We are meeting in 2 weeks to look at our progress, and work on some basic commands. I am super excited- I just want Travel and Echo to become more secure in their new life with us, and having calm, well behaved animals.

Shell is the BEST! Let me know if you want her information- just email me.

In rememberance of Sherman and Patton

Many of you know we lost our beloved greyhounds Sherman and Patton to bone cancer this summer.

My first encounter with greyhounds was when one of my friends from college, Tina, took me to a PetSmart, to a meet and greet. She loved the breed, and intr>oduced me to them. I was fascinated by how sweet and gentle they were for being ex-racers. I decided that day in 1995 that when I was ready for a dog, I was getting a greyhound.

Fast forward 9 years.

When we built our house, Larry promised me we could get a greyhound. We adopted from Arizona Adopt a Greyhound. We closed on our new home on a Tuesday, and Sherman came home on Friday night. We were in love. He had a bit of a rough beginning, he was bounced around from several homes, but we were determined to work with him to become a sweet, happy boy. Fast forward 6 months, and Patton came home.

I'll admit the beginning was hard. While Sherman was quiet and never gave us any problems, Patton was nuts. Patton was younger than Sherman, so he still had some puppy in him. We also didn't have the dog door, and had trouble with Patton marking in the house. With a lot of work (and a dog door,) and lots of love and treats, Patton eventually blossomed into a sweet, handsome, good boy. We were learning how to be good pet owners, and how to work with them to become good pets, while Sherman and Patton were trying to learn to be happy pets, instead of racers.

We took them everywhere. We'd take day trips to Sedona, Prescott, Tucson, etc., for hiking, shopping, and exploring. They loved their day trips, and became very good travelers. They went to 2 greyhound gatherings, one in Kanab UT, and one in Solvang, CA. They saw the beach, and went to Ventura CA, and walked and played along the ocean.

Sherman was our good, quiet boy. His racing name was 'Flying Atwood.' However, he was more famous for his nickname, 'The Shermanator.' He ran 41 races before he was retired. He was a quiet, sensitive old soul. When he got excited, he'd swing his tail out of control, and give me one bark. :) He was such a love, and everyone who met him fell in love with him. Sheman became a therapy dog, and eventually worked as a reading therapy dog. Kids would read to him, to help promote their reading skills. He was so gentle and nothing bothered him. At home, he was quite the fly catcher, he'd get them on the first try, every time, and we called him 'Predator.' Sherman loved to lounge in the sun, and loved to sleep outside in the spring and the fall.

Patton was crazy. He was a energetic, goofy, happy boy. He was always up for something, and always by mine or Larry's side. Patton's name was Bow Exclusive. He ran 33 races before he retired to our home. He came straight off the track, so we were his very first introduction into retirement. He was a VERY energetic boy. He settled into retirement, and was always our silly one. Patton's favorite spot was the futon in my knitting room. Even if I was sitting on it, his goal was to shove me off, so he could have it all to himself.

We lost Sherman to bone cancer on 07/01/2010. It was a devastating loss to us- they are our 'kids.' Unfortunately, we lost Patton to bone cancer as well on 08/20/2010. Unfortunately, there was nothing we could do for them, but help them cross the bridge.

They will always be known as our 'boys,' and will always be our 'heart dogs.' Everyone who met them, loved them. They were our first introduction into the tight-knit greyhound community, and will never be forgotten.

Godspeed, run free and fast my little ones.


Unfortunately, bone cancer, or osteocarcoma, is common in greyhounds.
Hope For Hounds
The Ohio State University Greyhound Wellness Program
"A fast runner in race for a cure" The Arizona Republic 08/26/2010

More information about greyhounds:
Arizona Adopt a Greyhound
My favorite book- simple and comprehensive: "Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies"